Just like spring training: Colon does it again
Posted by: Chad Jennings - Posted in Misc on Apr 20, 2011 
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Looking every bit like the guy who pitched his way onto the roster this spring, Bartolo Colon made his first Major League start since July of 2009 and lifted the Yankees to a 6-2 win against the Blue Jays. Colon seemed to run out of gas late, but he pitched into the seventh inning — something not many Yankees starters have done this season — and was charged with two runs while striking out seven. Between a second-inning home run and a sixth-inning single, Colon retired 12 in a row, seven on strikeouts. To lead the offense, Mark Teixeira had three doubles, Curtis Granderson hit his sixth home run and Russell Martin was 2-for-3.
Associated Press photo
Great job by Colon….If he can keep it up, what a plus it will be.
Damn… I forget how good an interviewee Curtis Granderson is. He’s filled with information.
Good result by Soriano.
Another page in Boras’s Opt-Out Binder.
Colon rules!
No problem with Girardi’s bullpen management tonight.
Would like to see Noesi get into a game soon, too.
“What a shocker. The same people complaining about not using other pitchers in the pen are the same ones complaining about using Pendleton.”
These kids can relax now. The Yankees won.
Hopefully Girardi does not show up in thier dreams and scare the he*ll out of them.
We need them here on Friday to continue the whining
Did Colon pitch too well for him to go back to the pen? We’ll see. I say let the strongest men survive at this point.
Bottom line is you ride Colon as a starter for as long as he remains reliable. His days as long man should be over. Hughes/Nova/Garcia now for the 4/5 spots. They can’t continue to ignore the fact that Colon has outpitched everyone on the staff since spring starter. Pitching isn’t good enough to play favorites or instincts anymore. Best 5 guys based on performance need to be in the rotation.
Nice win, and Joe didn’t go the “formula” route tonight.
I like this Yankee team… so far.
I have been posting on this site for the past three years, and dumping on Joe Girardi is a cottage industry around here.
He is dumb for using a formula.
Then he’s dumb for not using a formula.
The guy can’t win with certain people.
Ghostwriter April 20th, 2011 at 10:14 pm
“The same people complaining about not using other pitchers in the pen are the same ones complaining about using Pendleton.”
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Not me. I had no problem with using Pendleton in this situation. I thought that it was the right move. It would have been nice if he got the 3 outs, but at least he got some experience. They’ve got to bloody the kid sometime.
No problem with using Pendleton with a 4-run lead, and Soriano in reserve.
And, I don’t think the pen is exhausted. There’s been enough rain and off days so that guys don’t seem to go more than 2-3 games in a row. Tomorrow’s another off day.
The rough spot will be starting Friday, 17 games in 17 days. That’s where having guys like Pendleton and Noesi available will be important. Might as well use Pendleton now to get his feet wet.
The way Colon pitched tonight, if he continues like this and not injured, he will be the second best starter in the rotation behind CC.
This was a nice team win tonight. It’s a darn shame that the Yanks couldn’t close out the win last night; they would be looking at a series win in a divisional rival’s park. Especially after the way Toronto played the Yanks so tough last year.
ac1,
“Didnt you complain when Soriano came in vs. minny with a 4-0 lead, non save and blew it?”
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Uhhh.. dunno budd.. but probably I “vented” if he blew a save?? I do complain but I don’t think you got the right guy tho.. but if you are looking for somebody to bicker with, which it seems based on the fact that you asked that question singling me out, I’m not him.. but good luck with your search!
Colon scopes and disassembles Blue Jays per sports section tomorrow!
It’s pretty funny that if the Yankees are down by 4 runs entering the 9th people are declaring game over.
But if they are up by 4, somehow that’s a “close game”
And the Yanks are the ones with the best offense in baseball!
Is it just me, or do the ‘Jays seem a lot less scary without Gaston at the helm?
Anyone else notice the huge binder above Long’s right shoulder in the dugout behind Girardi tonite ? Glad he wasn’t thumbing through it.
The way Colon pitched tonight, if he continues like this and not injured, he will be the second best starter in the rotation behind CC.
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Did you not see my boy Freddy shut down a way better offense?!
If Hughes can return to form we might just have ourselves a pretty good rotation.
“the Yanks are the ones with the best offense in baseball!”
Are you high on crack again? They only hit ONE homer tonight.
tip of the cap to Tony Pena for the Colon lead
Is it just me, or do the ‘Jays seem a lot less scary without Gaston at the helm?
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They are less scary because they were a better team last year.
LGY April 20th, 2011 at 10:22 pm
Is it just me, or do the ‘Jays seem a lot less scary without Gaston at the helm?
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They are less scary because they were a better team last year.
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That’s probably it.
Joe from Long Island April 20th, 2011 at 10:17 pm
No problem with using Pendleton with a 4-run lead, and Soriano in reserve.
And, I don’t think the pen is exhausted. There’s been enough rain and off days so that guys don’t seem to go more than 2-3 games in a row. Tomorrow’s another off day.
The rough spot will be starting Friday, 17 games in 17 days. That’s where having guys like Pendleton and Noesi available will be important. Might as well use Pendleton now to get his feet wet.
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I was thinking the same thing. Even Rivera is getting rest. The season is 3 weeks along and he won’t be pitching every other day. Not sure what they’ll do with Nova. He has some great pitches, but, for whatever reason, they don’t seem to translate to the majors….at least, not yet/ 10 starts in the Majors and only 5 times has he gotten through 5 or more innings. That’s not good. Not sure what Noesi would do, but, if Nova fails on the next start, I have to go with trying Noesi at least 2 times.
Are you high on crack again? They only hit ONE homer tonight.
Maybe. I was told that good offenses hit girl fly balls that don’t leave the ballpark.
Also, for the record, I was one of the ones complaining about Girardi last night, but thought in contrast, he did a good job tonight.
No need to go to Soriano right away with a four run lead. He needs to see what guys can do, and there are only so many 6+ leads do do that. 4 runs ahead, he tried Pendleton and went to Soriano when he needed to.
No problem with that — and why you did not see me posting about it.
And, he kept Robertson in for the 8th. No complaints there either.
“Did you not see my boy Freddy shut down a way better offense?!”
Yes, I did.
Colon has better stuff and in the long run he will have better results if he is healthy.
Great job by Colon….at this moment it looks like even if Hughes comes back strong he’ll have to replace somebody else in the rotation. Colon is getting guys out with real big league quality stuff…..gotta ride this out as long as you can I think.
Granderson is so good…he’s going to hit 35 homers this year.
Not surprising that on a night when the Yankees get a nice win over half of the game thread posts are complaints about Derek Jeter from the usual suspects…..he had a bad night, he’s been swinging the bat better the last week or so……give it a rest….some of you sounds just giddy that he’s struggling.
LGY April 20th, 2011 at 10:21 pm
The way Colon pitched tonight, if he continues like this and not injured, he will be the second best starter in the rotation behind CC.
—–
Did you not see my boy Freddy shut down a way better offense?!
——————————–
I saw him throw all kinds of junk at them, scaring the hell out of me every time he threw the ball up there
I liked the bullpen management tonight….maybe Girardi has been reading Lohud
Double digit wins.
True fact: the Yankees are the only team in the AL East with a postive run differential.
The 9-9 Rays are at Absolute Zero, however.
Tampa Yanks couldn’t pull off the comeback but, Lyerly and Murton contine to mash the ball. Here’s the final box score, Tampa loses 6-3.
http://web.minorleaguebaseball.....a_tbyafa_1
watching the Cardinals game…Berkman looks great, he’s lost weight and is killing the ball early this season….good for him.
All the regulars are batting above .250, including Tex, except Po and Jetes.
Hopefully Jetes and Po join the party soon.
I wish Jeter can play much better in 2011, otherwise even he will think it’s tough to get through final 2 years.
Charleston didn’t hit much tonight, but enough to win 4-2 behind a nice start by Kramer Sneed. Here’s the final box score.
http://web.minorleaguebaseball.....x_crdafx_1
No Bart, Bart-y, Tol-y or Lon-y nickname for Colon. He gets the full Bartolo from Girardi
And the Yanks have a 2.5 game lead in the East and 3 in the loss column.
What’s Jeter’s avg since he said he wanted to keep Bob Sheppard announcing him?
GreenBeret7 April 20th, 2011 at 10:24 pm
Joe from Long Island April 20th, 2011 at 10:17 pm
No problem with using Pendleton with a 4-run lead, and Soriano in reserve.
And, I don’t think the pen is exhausted. There’s been enough rain and off days so that guys don’t seem to go more than 2-3 games in a row. Tomorrow’s another off day.
The rough spot will be starting Friday, 17 games in 17 days. That’s where having guys like Pendleton and Noesi available will be important. Might as well use Pendleton now to get his feet wet.
———————————————————————————————————————-
I was thinking the same thing. Even Rivera is getting rest. The season is 3 weeks along and he won’t be pitching every other day. Not sure what they’ll do with Nova. He has some great pitches, but, for whatever reason, they don’t seem to translate to the majors….at least, not yet/ 10 starts in the Majors and only 5 times has he gotten through 5 or more innings. That’s not good. Not sure what Noesi would do, but, if Nova fails on the next start, I have to go with trying Noesi at least 2 times
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Why don’t you stop your whining & give the kid a few more years???
I’m sorry, but how does a guy like Colon who is almost 40 and spent 15+ years in the majors not speak English?
Yes, I too am very pleased that guys like Texiera are batting above the Maginot line this early in the season. That’s a good sign.
Jeter and Jorge worry me. They aren’t young pups anymore, and I don’t think we have a shortstop that could take jeter’s place if the need arose.
Colon being a team player in postgame saying he’ll pitch starter or bullpen wherever it helps the team most. And yes, he has suprised himself with how well he’s been pitching.
BBFan April 20th, 2011 at 10:31 pm
All the regulars are batting above .250, including Tex, except Po and Jetes.
Hopefully Jetes and Po join the party soon.
oooooooooooooo
What about Gardner ?? ANd Tex was hitting .226 before tonights game.. FYI .. I do think the bats are starting to come around though.. Tex is always slow in April we all know that, but this year’s april has been a lot better than last years..
It’s Jorge, Jeter and Gardner that concern me at this point. Those 3 combined are dreadful right now.
# 28 RINGS April 20th, 2011 at 10:38 pm
I’m sorry, but how does a guy like Colon who is almost 40 and spent 15+ years in the majors not speak English?
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That surprised me a little bit. Not saying he has to speak English but I assumed he knew how to speak it.
Probably not that he doesn’t speak english but that he prefers to be quoted in his native language. Considering how stupidly player quotes are received & interpreted, you can’t blame the guy. Matsui never responded in english either. He speaks it very well.
Yes, I forgot about Gardner. I was looking at today’s lineup.
Soraiano’s demeanor just reminds me of The Big Unit.. I hope he shows himself to be more likable and comfortable as a NYY teammate ! I mean, for all I know, he’s getting along well with everybody.. but I think it was Rays mngr. J. Madden that said it took Sori a few months to become part of the team in Tampa.. and they had difficult times at first.
It’s Jorge, Jeter and Gardner that concern me at this point. Those 3 combined are dreadful right now.
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With the power that Posada has displayed, I’m not terribly worried about him. I also think that Jeter will come around soon enough. Gardner is the one that worries me, although I remain cautiously optimistic that he will adjust.
P – Girardi has already been quoted saying Soriano has been a nice addition in the clubhouse. Helpful, funny, quick to mesh.
Ghost – couldn’t really disagree more. Gardner is young and struggling. Jeter and Posada are old, struggling, and not getting younger. The latter two are on the back 9 while gardner is still on the driving range.
now that the Dodgers are under the thumb of new owner Bud Selig, they are going to start winning.
Since baseball now controls the Dodger purse strings, they are indeed the owners of the team.
I guess 6 minutes of guarding CP3 was enough for Kobe?
28 RINGS April 20th, 2011 at 10:38 pm
I’m sorry, but how does a guy like Colon who is almost 40 and spent 15+ years in the majors not speak English?
**********************
Nick Swisher is 31 and he doesn’t speak English either.
Some of you are trying too hard to find things to whine about tonight.
If you can’t enjoy wins, root form the Mets or Astros. They will fulfill your skies are falling needs..
CRAP CRAP CRAP CRAP NY Rangers lose in 2OT
Romine’s 2nd homer of the night was to dead center off of the batter’s eye…408 plus feet in Trenton.
Its going to be fun tomorrow when I share how well Colon did with the dad who was making fun of the Yankees for putting him in the rotation.
also, Jose Ramirez pitched tonight for Tampa. Got absolutely rocked in the 2nd inning but was pretty much perfect through the 5th. Unfortunately the TY couldnt score enough runs to get out of their early hole.
Walter Ibarra was a total gamer tonight too, went for a sharp grounder and jammed his wrist or something, couldnt make the throw so they all went out and looked at him but he decided to stay in. Leading off the bottom of the inning, Ibarra hit a home run.
Romine doesn’t get much credit for his bat and his power, because of Montero, but, he’s got plenty of both.
Montero with 3 more hits tonite.
Hot does not begin to describe what he’s doing right now.
TY, how do you like the middle of Tampa’s batting order of Lyerly and Luke Murton?
GB-
I agree with what you said about Nova.
He really needs to start pulling it together.
His stuff is good but he seems to be having trouble with his delivery.
The C and C are just not there right now.
Hope he finds it in the next few starts or he may be replaced.
Noesi throws strikes. Stuff is similar.
The baseball world is upside down when Ryan TheRiot is outhitting Albert Pujols by 73 points and almost as many RBI (12-4).
GB
Really like Lyerly’s bat. Just like you said I would. If only he could get the fielding down then he would be golden. He made all his plays tonight though, caught a popup, backhanded grab and spin and throw to first but every time the ball goes to him it is an adventure.
It was weird tonight. We were all convinced that Murton hit a home run, that the balll when to straight away center and hit the bottom of the scoreboard and bounced back in because the outfielder somehow managed to get the ball back in to the cutoff man so fast, Kevin Mahoney wasnt even able to score from 2nd and he was running the whole time. Murton was held to a single and Lyerly didnt even make it halfway to 3rd before the ball was back in the infield. Sojo went out to question them but they said it landed inside the park.
***12 to 8 RBI***
MTU, Noesi’s stuff is actually a little better than Nova’s as is his control (fastball is maybe 2 MPH slower most times, but, nothing’s straight). His only trouble was the lack of AAA experience.
I’ve been on this blog for years, and I think it’s time to say it:
Are Posada and Jeter wasted roster space at this point? I just don’t know…
The blood lust for Jeter on this board makes me think that we have a lot of trolls and posers in our midst. He’s been much better this week and I checked into the game thread to see people writing his obituary again.
So here’s facts for those of you who are reveling in his non productive at bats; He’s signed here for 3 years and will definitely start for the next 2, so you might as well give up and accept the fact that he’s going to start at SS 90% of the games and all your hand wringing isn’t going to mean a thing.
They won the game tonight coming back after a horrible loss. Other teams would go into a tailspin.
The story of the night shouldn’t be Jeter’s bad at bats, it should be Colon and what he means to a rotation that was decimated by the complete fail that Phil Hughes was up until he was DL’d and the struggles of Nova who appears to be more of a concern than I thought he’d be.
The Yankees need starters to step up and Garcia and Colon both did in the past week.
TY, those two guys have a lot of power. Defense is the issue, especially with Lyerly. I’m hoping that with Sojo there, he can clean up the infield defense. Lyerly would do good to have Graig Nettles work with him on defense. His 1st base play isn’t real good, either.
Also, Can I just share how some grown man got in my face tonight? I totally asked for it but thought it was funny that some 40+ year old thought he could get away with it.
There was a Tampa Catholic/Jesuit game going on when I got to the park, I sat in my seat and in the row there are 11 seats. I was in seat 1 on the right and this man was in seat 8 on my left. There are stair on either side of the section. Well that game ends and I am sitting with my dad and the guy starts walking towards us and is like, excuse me,(there was no one on the other side of him, the stairs were 3 seats away from the his seat) so I slowly get up and push my stuff under my seat and stand up and right as he is in front of me I say, quite loudly “like its such an inconvenience to just exit the other way” and he turns and starts going off on how he was going that way because he son #40 was standing up there and he is pointing up, so I said “yeah I dont care, keep walking” So he goes to my dad and is trying to argue with him, my dad just ignored him and walked on. I couldnt stop laughing.
GB-
I like your idea.
Ride Colon as far as he’ll take us, and let Hughes, Nova, Garcia, and Noesi compete for the remaining spots.
Would love to see Hughes make a strong comeback although I have
my doubts. I hope to be wrong.
PittsburghYankeeFan April 20th, 2011 at 11:20 pm
Can they at least get a hundred ABs this year before we pronounce them finished?
MTU,
I have serious doubts about Hughes coming back and being a part of this rotation this year. Serious ones.
At this point, ride CC, AJ, Colon, Garcia as far as you can and see what becomes available. With Millwood and Silva in reserve, we can piece this together with this offense until the trade market develops.
“the struggles of Nova who appears to be more of a concern than I thought he’d be. ”
Same here. It’s early but he doesn’t look like the same kid right now.
The stuff is good but the control is gone.
Doesn’t matter how good your stuff is if you don’t repeat your delivery well and aren’t throwing quality strikes that’s a problem.
I hope he pulls it together and keeps it there.
MTU, I think Hughes will be just fine. All of the comparisons of him with the drooling over Buchholz is laughable. He’s stumbling so far, is almost 3 yers older and bombed in his first two attempts to make the Boston rotation. So much for pitching no hitters. I wonder how many people have looked at the list of no hitters and who pitched them and more importantly, who didn’t. Lefty Gomez, Red Ruffing, Whitey Ford, Mel Stottlemyre, Ron Guidry and Andy Pettitte didn’t, but Sam Jones, Don Larson, Jim Abbott and a washed up Doc Gooden did. I’ll wait a while longer before burying Phil Hughes.
That’s my point…I’m not sure. Yes, I’d give them 100 AB. Why not 200? Posada’s always been pretty bad at DH, and while Jeter will certainly warm up as August and September roll around, it may be a frustrating several months of watching ground balls to short ending up in DPs. We all thought that the work with KLong would make a difference, and here we are 3 weeks into the season and…
G Love, I’m certainly no troll, just a concerned fan. I want these guys to succeed, and even think that Po has a shot at the HOF with his year in 08.
Bernie Williams was shown the door 1-2 years too late. Are we seeing the same thing here?
MTU,
Nova’s so high in the zone I don’t see how he can be successful at this level unless he throws 97. I also don’t understand the mental/physical block the 5th inning is to him. We cannot carry a pitcher who can’t go 5 most nights because he falls apart seeing the inning number turn. It’s bizarre. Reminds me of Pedro when he knew he got to 100 pitches and turned into a pumpkin.
If all he can give is 4 solid innings, he may end up the long man and if Millwood is ready we’re going to have a vintage rotation if there ever was one.
I’m with GB, I think Hughes will be fine.
Good night all.
Sucks that Boston misses Dream Weaver. Thats crap.
I think we can just forget about wishing we had Austin Jackson instead of Curtis Granderson. It was a good trade after all.
G. Love-
I watched Cecil tonite with great interest because he has been stricken with the same velo problem as Hughes.
I was not very impressed with what I saw. And we have to remember that Cecil’s 2ndary stuf is better than Hughes.
Gives one pause to think.
I think you are correct that with our offense we can hold it together until the TD.
We’ll see what’s what then and act accordingly.
PittsburghYankeeFan,
You have to give Jeter, Jorge and Gardner more time. It’s 16 games in. The first month of the season hasn’t ended yet.
If Jeter gets to 100-200 at bats and is still hitting .220 with no power, everything will take care of itself and he’ll be dropped in the lineup. But he’s not going anywhere for 3 years so getting caught up in every bad at bat is just going to make you sick.
As for Posada, if he doesn’t hit they have a replacement in Chavez who can play 3b and let Arod DH and lengthen the lineup.
Was Nova’s ceiling ever better than a 4 or 5? I thought guys like Brackman etc were higher in the pecking order.
I agree with the thoughts of riding Colon and Garcia as far as you can, then trying to make a trade with Seattle for King Felix if the Mariners remain atrocious (if they are up for it, which is always a question with Jack Z).
He’s stumbling so far, is almost 3 yers older and bombed in his first two attempts to make the Boston rotation
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???
Buch is one year older than Hughes.
Gb-
I hope you are right. I very much want YMH to succeed.
And with that I must bid you all adieu.
Another hike in the AM. My 3rd in as many days. Need to get some rest.
Have a good evening.
G Love
I know. It’s just that I think this is now the third year in a row for both of them having “slow starts.” I agree–it will take care of itself by late May, one way or the other.
Jete’s coming around. In his last 10 games he is batting .268 with an OBP of about .342. He’s showing signs of getting it together.
I never put much credence into the Posada can’t DH theory–too small of a sample to make any judgments about him as a DH. Time will tell. Posada’s history and the fact that he still possess considerable power suggests that he’ll figure it out in time.
It really is way too soon in the season for all of the gloom and doom talk.
G. Love April 20th, 2011 at 11:22 pm
The blood lust for Jeter on this board makes me think that we have a lot of trolls and posers in our midst. He’s been much better this week and I checked into the game thread to see people writing his obituary again.
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Well said. You’d think being a key player on 5 championship teams would earn the guy a little slack when he starts the year a little slow.
Likewise for Posada.
I’ve cursed and complained at the TV on more than one occassion over the years when they’ve failed to come through in a key spot. And almost immediately felt dirty afterward. They’re living/active Yankee legends. They’ve more than earned the benefit of the doubt. Real fans are not circling over them like vultures. They’re hoping for them to get on track and help win #6 together.
Anyway, nice wintonight. Colon pitched a gem. If he could only stay healthy all/most of the season, he could be a huge addition….pun sort of intended
He wasn’t even fully stretched out tonight. Otherwise he might have made it to the 8th.
CB, I agree……….especially about Noesi. What purpose does it serve to have him sitting around, not pitching? How is he progressing, learning? Why the Yankees want a kid to sit around to not pitch is beyond me – get some veteran long man to do that.
Jeter should sit every 5th game.
Geez, enough already with the HR thing – it’s not funny, LGY/Jerkface……..If you have a problem with me, you can tell me directly to my face instead of making fun of me with some passive aggressive crap
Blake, if Phil regains his velocity, then he has to come back and replace someone, even if it’s Colon. There’s no way they can leave him in AAA or put him in the pen………..unless they value Colon over him, in which case then the decision is easy
MTU, I think it’s going to be a long time before we see Phil………and even if he comes back, how much of a help is he going to be if he’s the 5 ERA he was for most of the year last year? Being a two pitch pitcher didn’t help AJ – and AJ had/has far better stuff.
Right, no-hitters are meaningless.
- Yours Truly, Nolan
I don’t see why Garcia should have to compete for anything………he hasn’t done anything wrong.
Betsy
You are far from the only person who has mentioned the HR thing. People in the gane thread were talking about it. Dont know why you would take it personal or think its directed at you.
Let cashman do a victory lap. It’ll save him from no lee n feliciano
LGY, ever since I made the comment, all I see are jokes about it – it’s annoying. I read the game threads -I didn’t see anyone else say that the Yankees hit too many HRs or score too many of their runs via the HR. All I saw were jokes about it. I get that people disagree with me and fine – but when is enough, enough?
bobo holoman pitched a 9 inning ho hitter in his 1st major league start. He never won another game and was out of the majors within 2 months. You want more on the nobodies that threw no hitters?
9 inning ***no*** hitter in
The entire media including the ESPN sunday night booth was complaining about the amount of HRs.
Betsy
Probably half this board has complained about the HR thing. There were several comments about how nice the sac flys were and scoring without the HR.
It is not directed at you.
LGY, I read those comments as jokes harkening back to my comment- sarcastic comments. I don’t get why anyone would have a problem with that type of comment anyway – being a one-dimensional team is not a good thing. Anyway, I will just have to have a thicker skin I suppose.
Any jokes from me were not directed to you. Just to the general idea of Hrs being bad, which has been a drum more people than you have been beating. Continue to be paranoid all you want though.
I agree with that GB7 guy. No-hitters mean nothing. Can I give back my seven?
. . . love Nolan.
Betsy
I don’t understand why this is an issue. I already said they weren’t directed at you. Many people on this board share your opinion on this issue.